Pilots and controllers

Pilot/Controller Glossary

The FAA’s standardized definitions for terms used in pilot and air traffic control communication.

Reviewed by FAA Advanced Ground Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor July 13, 2026

This page is educational and does not replace the current FAA publication or regulation.

Use it when wording matters

The glossary is the first place to verify an unfamiliar ATC term, abbreviation, or phrase. It is especially useful when ordinary-language meaning differs from aviation usage.

Read linked AIM context

A definition may identify the term without explaining the full procedure. Follow the related AIM chapter or paragraph when operational context matters.